Animal Development

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GRE Subject Test: Biology › Animal Development

Questions 1 - 10
1

During embryogenesis, the separation of cells into the three individual germ layers first occurs during which of the following?

Gastrulation

Neurulation

Organogenesis

Cleavage

Fertilization

Explanation

After fertilization occurs, the zygote undergoes a series of cellular divisions in a process called cleavage. This is followed by the formation of the blastula, a hollow sphere of cells. Gastrulation occurs next, where the embryo is divided into three germ layers: the endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm (from inside to outside). Hence, gastrulation is the stage in which this process first occurs. Neurulation and organogenesis occur after gastrulation.

2

During embryogenesis, the separation of cells into the three individual germ layers first occurs during which of the following?

Gastrulation

Neurulation

Organogenesis

Cleavage

Fertilization

Explanation

After fertilization occurs, the zygote undergoes a series of cellular divisions in a process called cleavage. This is followed by the formation of the blastula, a hollow sphere of cells. Gastrulation occurs next, where the embryo is divided into three germ layers: the endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm (from inside to outside). Hence, gastrulation is the stage in which this process first occurs. Neurulation and organogenesis occur after gastrulation.

3

Formation of the primitive streak occurs during what stage of embryogenesis?

Blastula

Morula

Gastrula

Neurula

Explanation

The primitive streak forms in the blastula stage and establishes symmetry (left-right and cranial-caudal body axes). This spatial differentiation determines the site of gastrulation and initiates formation of the three germ layers. The epiblast (precursor to the ectoderm) invaginates to form the primitive streak. Cells from the primitive streak give rise to the mesoderm and the endoderm. Formation of the primitive streak marks the beginning of gastrulation.

4

Formation of the primitive streak occurs during what stage of embryogenesis?

Blastula

Morula

Gastrula

Neurula

Explanation

The primitive streak forms in the blastula stage and establishes symmetry (left-right and cranial-caudal body axes). This spatial differentiation determines the site of gastrulation and initiates formation of the three germ layers. The epiblast (precursor to the ectoderm) invaginates to form the primitive streak. Cells from the primitive streak give rise to the mesoderm and the endoderm. Formation of the primitive streak marks the beginning of gastrulation.

5

Which of the following defines the process by which the entry of one sperm into an oocyte prevents other sperms from fertilizing the same egg?

The cortical reaction

Determination

Differentiation

The induction reaction

Explanation

Cortical reaction occurs in fertilization when a sperm enters the cytoplasm of an oocyte. The reaction causes a change in the zona pellucida that prevents polyspermy. Determination refers to the point at which a cell becomes committed to a certain developmental path during embryogenesis, and differentiation refers to the process by which that cell actually becomes a specialized tissue cell. Determination occurs very early during embryogenesis, whereas differentiation occurs later in the developmental process.

6

Which of the following defines the process by which the entry of one sperm into an oocyte prevents other sperms from fertilizing the same egg?

The cortical reaction

Determination

Differentiation

The induction reaction

Explanation

Cortical reaction occurs in fertilization when a sperm enters the cytoplasm of an oocyte. The reaction causes a change in the zona pellucida that prevents polyspermy. Determination refers to the point at which a cell becomes committed to a certain developmental path during embryogenesis, and differentiation refers to the process by which that cell actually becomes a specialized tissue cell. Determination occurs very early during embryogenesis, whereas differentiation occurs later in the developmental process.

7

The inner cell mass (or embryoblast) of the blastocyst gives rise to all of the following layers except __________.

the trophoblast

the epiblast

the primitive endoderm

the mesoderm

Explanation

The blastula, or blastocyst, is made up of blastomere cells and a fluid-filled cavity called the blastocoel.

There are two regions of the blastocyst: the inner cell mass and the trophoblast. The inner cell mass gives rise to the primitive endoderm and the epiblast, which later gives rise to the three germ layers during gastrulation. The trophoblast is the layer of cells forming the outer ring of the blastocyst. It secretes factors to make the blastocoel and is kept separate from the inner cell mass. All fetal structures eventually develop from the inner cell mass, while the trophoblast helps maintain the fetal environment and placenta.

8

The inner cell mass (or embryoblast) of the blastocyst gives rise to all of the following layers except __________.

the trophoblast

the epiblast

the primitive endoderm

the mesoderm

Explanation

The blastula, or blastocyst, is made up of blastomere cells and a fluid-filled cavity called the blastocoel.

There are two regions of the blastocyst: the inner cell mass and the trophoblast. The inner cell mass gives rise to the primitive endoderm and the epiblast, which later gives rise to the three germ layers during gastrulation. The trophoblast is the layer of cells forming the outer ring of the blastocyst. It secretes factors to make the blastocoel and is kept separate from the inner cell mass. All fetal structures eventually develop from the inner cell mass, while the trophoblast helps maintain the fetal environment and placenta.

9

During gastrulation, the developing embryo undergoes a reorganization of the cells into a multi-layered organism, with each layer necessary to form distinct parts of the eventual fully-formed organism. Which of these primary layers will ultimately form the skin and the nervous system of the organism?

Ectoderm

Endoderm

Mesoderm

Vegetal pole

Blastopore

Explanation

The vegetal pole and the blastopore are not considered the primary layers formed early in gastrulation, nor will they give rise to skin and nervous system structures. The endoderm will ultimately form the digestive organs and lungs, and the mesoderm will form the muscles, kidneys, and bones. The correct answer is ectoderm, which will form skin and nervous system tissues.

10

During gastrulation, the developing embryo undergoes a reorganization of the cells into a multi-layered organism, with each layer necessary to form distinct parts of the eventual fully-formed organism. Which of these primary layers will ultimately form the skin and the nervous system of the organism?

Ectoderm

Endoderm

Mesoderm

Vegetal pole

Blastopore

Explanation

The vegetal pole and the blastopore are not considered the primary layers formed early in gastrulation, nor will they give rise to skin and nervous system structures. The endoderm will ultimately form the digestive organs and lungs, and the mesoderm will form the muscles, kidneys, and bones. The correct answer is ectoderm, which will form skin and nervous system tissues.

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